Originally Posted by
JoseVerde
Curiously, about what percent of UA flying is comprised of UX vs Maineline both in terms of total passengers moved and aircraft movements. Is there way to grab this data anywhere?
As scheduled systemwide 11/1/14-10/31/15 inclusive:
Code:
operator | flights | seats | asm
----------+---------+-------+----
mainline | 38% | 63% | 86%
express | 62% | 37% | 14%
Originally Posted by
JoseVerde
I ask because regional flying seems to be a big factor in the legacies in the US yet regionals are seemingly always given the shaft in terms of customer experience: poor if any food options, incredibly cramped gates/terminals at airports, high delay/cancellation rates? (and yes smaller planes, but I take that to be an acceptable choice in order to effectively serve smaller markets). Why alienate such a (maybe) large segment of your customers?
The high delay/cancellation rates are largely* out of the express carriers control. The mainline carrier uses the express carrier to mitigate the impact of delay programs on mainline. 15 mainline + 15 express flights scheduled in an hour with only 20 slots now? Cancel 10 express and operate 100% mainline. If it was 30 mainline they'd have to cancel 10 mainline.
*not entirely, some express operators do have operational problems beyond mainline throwing them under the bus
Originally Posted by
JoseVerde
It never made sense why airlines segregate their brand into two classes of service and everyone seems to go along with it, including airport designers ("Oh yes, we can have 6 90-seat jets board out of the same time in 3 adjacent gates, no problem, it's regional!" I'm looking at you, concourse F in ORD, or even the newish regional extension at DEN"
Perhaps more effective without the hyperbole, since UAX has no 90 seat jets.